tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48244170137514744612024-02-08T02:16:25.932+09:00Far Away BlogKevin Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16173830755983155580noreply@blogger.comBlogger408125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824417013751474461.post-26253842429563438532013-09-14T15:56:00.000+09:002013-09-14T15:56:15.215+09:00I've MOVED! Come and Join me...Here's the deal folks. in an effort to consolidate my "internet life" I have decided to consolidate things under the umbrella of <a href="http://busankevin.com/" target="_blank">BusanKevin Dot Com.</a> I have started posting the videos from my BusanKevin YouTube channel there as well as new written blog posts. I will soon move all of my posts from this site over there.<br />
<br />
I will no longer be posting here so if you want to keep reading the strange things I write...come on over to <a href="http://busankevin.com/" target="_blank">BUSANKEVIN DOT COM</a> and "Like" the site or sign up for my BusanKevin email list (the tab i on the site).<br />
<br />
Love yas and see yas over there :)<br />
<br />
KevinKevin Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16173830755983155580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824417013751474461.post-9082675388559966892013-09-03T22:04:00.000+09:002013-09-03T22:06:48.952+09:00Raising a Bilingual Child: Constant Questioning<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Raising a Bilingual Child<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Teaching Tip:
Constant Questioning<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I learned a lot working as a kindergarten teacher for five
years. I closely observed my students and I watched their parents carefully as
well. I asked students about their interactions with their parents. Do they
read stories to you? Do you sit together as a family and eat meals together?
When you get home from school do you mostly watch television or play with your
parents? When your parents take you to the park, do they play with you or sit
and watch you?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I learned a lot about what to do as a parent and most
importantly, what not to do!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Simply put, many parents don’t talk to their children. They
may bark commands at them from time to time or even talk to them as if they
were babies, but many don’t engage them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At one school I worked at, teachers would take their classes
to a large public park each morning and play at a playground. I often saw
parents who would take their child there, let the child play by themselves
while he/she just sat on a bench with a coffee and stared at their smart phone.
Other times, a group of mothers would take their children to the park and then
ignore them. They saw it as “social time for Mommy” as opposed to playtime and
learning time for their child. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>On a Summer insect hunt with my son.</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All parents are guilty of letting their kids watch a little
too much television (especially when you’re trying to cook dinner or clean the
house). I’m guilty of that as well. I also find myself at time not engaging my
kids as much as I probably should. Luckily, I tend to “snap out of it” and
realize that I need to interact more.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Constantly questioning your child is a great way to engage
them. Constantly asking them a mixture of closed and open-ended questions about
what they are doing and the world around them helps them develop critical
thinking skills as well as their language. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I go for a walk with my son I often find myself asking
him a wide variety of questions about everything around us. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Here’s an example: </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Me:</b> “Hey Kai,
what’s that? (pointing to a leaf on he ground).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>My son:</b> “It’s a
leaf.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Me:</b> “What color
is it?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>My son:</b> “It’s
brown.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Me:</b> “Why is it
brown?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>My son:</b> “It’s
dirty.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Me:</b> “No. It’s
brown because it’s old and dry. Why is it on the sidewalk?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>My son:</b> “Cause
the tree is broken and the leaf jumped.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Me:</b> “Ha ha! The
leaf didn’t jump off the tree. It fell off. Can you say, ‘It fell off the
tree’?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>My son:</b> “It fell
of the tree.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In that exchange I asked him a variety of questions. I also
corrected his logic and language when he said the leaf jumped off the tree. Of
course, I always correct him in a nice way. Correcting children’s grammar and
vocabulary usage is something some parents don’t do enough of. That can
definitely lead to fossilization of speaking errors (that’s for another post).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, remember, if you’re a parent of kids who are in the
developmental stages of language acquisition, question them a lot. If you are a
teacher, do the same. Even if children are older and their language is
developed, by constantly questioning them, you are encouraging them to think
and always acting as a teacher. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s a good thing!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don’t forget to follow me on <a href="http://instagram.com/jlandkev" target="_blank">Twitter: @jlandkev</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Kevin Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16173830755983155580noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824417013751474461.post-36798546593103146922013-08-26T22:36:00.001+09:002013-08-26T22:36:19.539+09:00Teaching in Japan as a Non-Native English Speaker
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
There seems to be a myth going around that if you are a
foreigner who wants to work in Japan as an English teacher that you must be a
native English speaker (English is the your first language). Although that
may be true in a country such as South Korea, it couldn’t be more wrong in
Japan. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I spent several years working in South Korea in the
education sector and in order to get a valid working visa to be a teacher you
had to be either from Canada, America, England, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand
or South Africa. You had to have received your university degree from an
accredited English university as well. I have met some Canadians who were not
able to get a job teaching in Korea because they went to a French language
university. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Japan, the rules aren’t as demanding. I’m not really sure
why this is the case. Maybe Japan has been open to foreigners working as
teachers for a longer period of time. Maybe officials realize that non-native
speakers can teach English just as well if not better than many native English speakers. I really don’t know.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the years, people from various
countries around the world have been emailing me and asking me if it is
possible for them to teach in Japan even though English is not their first
language. The answer I give them is <b>“YES.”</b> In my years in Japan I have worked
with a large number of teachers from a wide variety of countries. Many of them
have not been native English speakers. I have had coworkers who taught English from
India, Pakistan, Sweden, Philippines, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Spain,
France, Malaysia, Singapore, China and Brazil. Many of them were fine teachers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKydgWPFklMcUSH-C5dvDtrK_YOede5XJP53O9stiwbHFUtPfQkn3sLy1q14W2lNbqX2yhqNX2sNJecoWdDV-anaNX9pYumlgaBsYouINS5YnzSw6nYcl_K3o5Ld6t1wRSM0t-hm91KyBw/s1600/esl-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKydgWPFklMcUSH-C5dvDtrK_YOede5XJP53O9stiwbHFUtPfQkn3sLy1q14W2lNbqX2yhqNX2sNJecoWdDV-anaNX9pYumlgaBsYouINS5YnzSw6nYcl_K3o5Ld6t1wRSM0t-hm91KyBw/s320/esl-logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many people around the world have a profound interest in
Japan. Some love Japan for the food and language. Others are more interested in
the pop culture; things such as manga and anime. Some are attracted to the
fashion and cool and fast-paced life in a city like Tokyo. Many are interested
and want to come to Japan to work and live. Some of those people see the route
of becoming an English teacher as an effective path in getting here. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In order to teach English in Japan and qualify for either an
Instructor’s Visa (needed to teach in public schools, colleges and
universities) or a Specialist in Humanities and International Relations Visa
(needed to teach in private language schools and kindergartens), you need a
completed university degree (one or two year diplomas/Associates Degrees don’t
count) and a very strong grasp of spoken and written English. If you have those
qualifications, there’s nothing stopping your from trying to get a job as a
teacher in Japan. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Long story short, if you are not from a native English
speaking country, don’t let that stop you from trying to come to Japan if you
are really interested.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You can follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/jlandkev" target="_blank">Twitter: @jlandkev</a></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Kevin Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16173830755983155580noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824417013751474461.post-65278388590269364212013-08-23T22:40:00.002+09:002013-08-24T07:02:31.124+09:005 Scariest Bugs in Japan<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Scariest Insects in
Japan</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>My Top 5 List (I realize that not all are "technically" bugs)<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><br></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Recently I was asked a question on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/BusanKevin/168362619867036?ref=hl" target="_blank">YouTube Facebook page</a>
about creepy crawly things. Someone who plans to move to Japan shared with me
that they are very frightened of spiders and fear they may have an allergy. They
wondered if there are many spiders one should fear in Japan.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think most adults I come across in Japan have a fear of
bugs to some extent. When I talk about adults, I am of course referring to both
Japanese and non-Japanese. Often that fear seems pretty irrational. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many people
tell me they don’t like insects simply because of the way they look. Also, for
many of these “bug haters” there must have been some sort of change in attitude
during their lives. I say that because most children I meet like bugs. Catching
cicadas, grasshoppers and mantises is one of the most popular summertime
hobbies of Japanese children. At some point though, many turn from bug fans to
bug fearers!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am a self-described insect fan. I have been teaching my
son not to fear, but enjoy insects. At the same time however, I do realize that
there are some dangerous insects in Japan. There are some bugs that no one
should touch. I have also been trying to teach my son that as well. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is a short list and a little information about some of
the most dangerous and freaky insects in Japan (in no particular order):</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Japanese Giant Hornet
(Suzumebachi):<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Found throughout Japan, the giant hornet can be up to 4cm
long with a wingspan of 6cm. These are very powerful and aggressive creatures.
Pretty much at the top of the food chain in Japan, preying upon almost any
other insect out there. In Japan they are known as the osuzumaebachi, which
literally translates to “giant sparrow bee.” Although they can be found in
cities, they are most commonly found in rural areas. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZIFSxKXw7S8attAjQR2bTJxVVDvthqV6eWMjieF85quPWQnnc8b34sqy_GnBWke-AiSa0EDTokcEA6S6tqX-76GeG_-gF72qehUuit61qLL63SydZVdjZT5Vy067_sqrO25_8AYyVPmm/s1600/japanese-giant-hornet-580x435.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZIFSxKXw7S8attAjQR2bTJxVVDvthqV6eWMjieF85quPWQnnc8b34sqy_GnBWke-AiSa0EDTokcEA6S6tqX-76GeG_-gF72qehUuit61qLL63SydZVdjZT5Vy067_sqrO25_8AYyVPmm/s320/japanese-giant-hornet-580x435.png" width="320"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The giant hornets dismember their victims with their
powerful jaws. It is said that their saliva and venom have the ability to
dissolve flesh. Their venom is extremely powerful and is injected through a
quarter inch stinger. Their sting is extremely painful and requires hospital
treatment. They are considered the most dangerous animal in Japan with more
than 40 people dying each year of anaphylactic shock after having been stung.
Bears kill 0-5 and venomous snakes only about 10 per year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Japanese Centipede
(Mukade)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwh64Yuo45p8pQyT5Q6lRFtJ4Wak7cWAbu03Z965qoUFH1NY9w4W69KYAkvh4vcafBuQBjSJs4OQwDUF9cVVO1rzwbsLdXGgjvRXWbWbkLR_KebVKwTbKAIlD8YO6u92zKlzLYFW4l2KgI/s1600/centipede.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwh64Yuo45p8pQyT5Q6lRFtJ4Wak7cWAbu03Z965qoUFH1NY9w4W69KYAkvh4vcafBuQBjSJs4OQwDUF9cVVO1rzwbsLdXGgjvRXWbWbkLR_KebVKwTbKAIlD8YO6u92zKlzLYFW4l2KgI/s320/centipede.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
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<b><br></b></div>
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These fairly reclusive creatures tend to stay in dark, damp
places. They can grow up to 20cm in length and are extremely quick and nimble
creatures. They are certainly horrifying in appearance when full-grown and are
venomous. Bites from a large Japanese centipede are very painful and may cause
swelling, weakness or fever. Their bites are normally not fatal, but some
people do have allergies to centipede venom. </div>
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<b>Assassin Bug
(Sashigame)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><br></b></div>
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Assassin bugs can be found in many parts of Japan. They tend
to slowly move around on trees and are capable of a clumsy style of flight.
Although they seem to normally move slowly, they can quickly strike at their
prey. </div>
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They use a long “rostrum” (injector) to inject a lethal
saliva that liquefies the insides of the prey, which are then sucked out. The
saliva contains enzymes that predigest the tissues they swallow. This is very
effective when attacking prey that are much larger than the bug itself. </div>
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A bite from this relatively small bug can be extremely
painful, especially for a child. Although not extremely dangerous to humans,
their bite will cause pain and swelling (a really big ouchie).</div>
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<o:p><br></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br></o:p></div>
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<b>Caterpillars –
various types (Kemushi)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><br></b></div>
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A wide variety of moth and butterfly caterpillars throughout
Japan can cause great discomfort if touched. Many have long barbed hairs with
mild venom as a defense against predators such as birds and other insects. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsIwSHUngnTmD9AlXxu3FP6MfPZJ5j0vWYKHg2MqEnvIIiqOJ6kXePA95ZEEOmeS3gRq8_ZH20EaMV5l8qjLiIB-iRbcX7bUe2w53Yo70Mpr0q9wOSKzEeseTPJ6KRNjUe96oMgYOl2mm/s1600/denkimushi.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsIwSHUngnTmD9AlXxu3FP6MfPZJ5j0vWYKHg2MqEnvIIiqOJ6kXePA95ZEEOmeS3gRq8_ZH20EaMV5l8qjLiIB-iRbcX7bUe2w53Yo70Mpr0q9wOSKzEeseTPJ6KRNjUe96oMgYOl2mm/s320/denkimushi.png" width="320"></a></div>
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If a caterpillar has long hair, bright colors or both, it’s
a good rule of thumb to not touch. It can be difficult to remove all of the
barbed hairs from one’s skin and the venom cause pain and itching. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div>
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At certain times of year, mainly spring, various types of
caterpillars fall out of trees on the ground. This can sometimes be treacherous
for hikers trudging through the woods. I have had friends who have suddenly
felt pain and realized a caterpillar fell down the neck of their shirt or on
their shoulder. </div>
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<br></div>
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<br></div>
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<b>Huntsman Spider (Ashidaka-gumo
)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Huntsman gets its name from its speed and the way it
hunts. They are also sometimes known as crab spiders because of their size and
shape. They tend to prefer living in woody places such as the forest, woodpiles
and wooden shacks and buildings. They also can live under rocks and large
pieces of tree bark.</div>
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<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyD0euSAW3zTfOC3p6yYfb-1nA98pfvvmv8LdS_f3nvaLPt070yyyq6urum1F3jYm3T0AMO0EkoSqTxc3ybwrF8WU1KokRtnqqppGJ1g3yKogGx0KYj6f5l4NK1yx7Lk_2TEFkQbRSqwB/s1600/hunstman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyD0euSAW3zTfOC3p6yYfb-1nA98pfvvmv8LdS_f3nvaLPt070yyyq6urum1F3jYm3T0AMO0EkoSqTxc3ybwrF8WU1KokRtnqqppGJ1g3yKogGx0KYj6f5l4NK1yx7Lk_2TEFkQbRSqwB/s320/hunstman.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
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<br></div>
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Full-grown male spiders can have a diameter (legs) of 10-12
inches, about the size of a dinner plate. Some people confuse them with
tarantulas because of their appearance. </div>
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<br></div>
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The Hunstman spider does have venom that it uses to
immobilize its prey. They have been known to inflict defensive bites that are
quite painful and lead to swelling, but their venom is not normally considered
dangerous to healthy humans. They are often considered beneficial since they
feed on insect pests such as cockroaches. </div>
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<br></div>
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<br></div>
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<o:p><br></o:p></div>
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So there you have it. Not all of these are technically insects
(six legs, 3 body parts – abdomen, thorax and head – 2 antennae), but they fit into
the “creepy crawly” zone nonetheless.</div>
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<br></div>
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<o:p><br></o:p></div>
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You can follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/jlandkev" target="_blank">Twitter: @jlandkev</a></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Kevin Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16173830755983155580noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824417013751474461.post-79075471750239389712013-08-23T09:24:00.001+09:002013-08-23T10:46:31.872+09:00Raising a Bilingual Child: The Daddy Show<p class=""><b><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Raising a Bilingual Child</i></b></p><p class=""><b><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </i></b></p><p class=""><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Teaching Tips: The Daddy Show</b></p><p class=""><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A constant thought in my mind is “What can I do to help my two children develop their English language skills while living in Japan?”</span></p><p class=""><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have done and am currently always researching and looking for new ideas. Also, my background as a kindergarten and elementary school teacher has helped a lot. It is a constant learning process however and I want to share some helpful tips I’ve learned with anyone else their raising children in a multi language environment.</span></p><p class=""><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class=""><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Daddy Show:</b></p><p class=""><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I came across this idea while reading a blog sometime ago. I can no longer remember when I read it exactly of even which blog it came from, but it is an idea that stuck in my head. Since I have a background in video editing (one of my hobbies being video blogging) this seemed like such an awesome idea. Even with very limited skills in using a video editor, anyone could do this as well.</span></p><p class=""><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have basically created a short “television” show that my son can watch when I am not at home. He of course has a small library of English DVDs that he watches throughout the day, but I wanted him to have more of a chance to listen to my voice and “interact” with me when I was at work.</span></p><p class=""><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Basically what I did was choose 3 short story books that my son likes. I chose “Me and My Dad” by Mercer Mayer, “The Daddy Book” by Todd Parr and “The Feelings Book” also by Todd Parr. I chose 4 or 5 songs that my son enjoys like “Bingo”, “Open Shut Them”, “If You’re Happy and You Know It”, etc. I then mixed a lot of dialogue in there. I would ask my son questions like “How do you feel today?” and then leave a pause so he had time to answer.</span></p><p class=""><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I set up my iPhone on a counter, sat down and started filming. I had to make several takes of some of the sings, but it was a lot of fun to do. I then downloaded all the video clips onto my MacBookPro and began to edit them in iMovie. If you have a PC you can easily use can editing program like Windows Movie Maker. There are also many free editing suites out there that are relatively easy to use.</span></p><p class=""><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I added some titles at the beginning and then before each song and story, clearly introduced what I was about to do. When I shot the video I looked straight into the camera as if it were my son. I also addressed the camera as my son. That way, when my son watched the DVD, I was making eye contact with him and he really felt it was “for him.”</span></p><p class=""><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the end, my first episode of “The Daddy Show” was about 20 minutes long. I plan to make more in the future and now I’ll be including my daughter in them. Of course, you can make it “The Mommy Show” if you’re a mother or name it anything you want.</span></p><p class=""><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBbTElWHtnxzXsWp5RDUamEhKXKFz0WMN_eM4CKtqbJONQ9LRe5Oc86sTe8_HiFN1YPjp_WFyhBpTbeypollN5iLXTmD0MYv52kspdJDKxZh6s2EUiD2J9euniXeK_8_KU56qSZaTMeid/s640/blogger-image--378745654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBbTElWHtnxzXsWp5RDUamEhKXKFz0WMN_eM4CKtqbJONQ9LRe5Oc86sTe8_HiFN1YPjp_WFyhBpTbeypollN5iLXTmD0MYv52kspdJDKxZh6s2EUiD2J9euniXeK_8_KU56qSZaTMeid/s640/blogger-image--378745654.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p><p class=""><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If you have any problems with using an editor like iMovie, there are free and easy to follow tutorials on <a href="http://apple.com/">apple.com</a> and of course, as with any editing program, there are many video tutorials on YouTube. Just do a quick search and any questions you have can be quickly answered.</span></p><p class=""><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hope you liked my teaching tip and hopefully you can make your own “TV show” for your kids or friends.</span></p><p class=""><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class=""><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You can follow me on Twitter: @jlandkev</span></p><p class=""><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "> </span></p><p class=""><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p>Kevin Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16173830755983155580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824417013751474461.post-69701221736861532192013-08-16T23:21:00.000+09:002013-08-16T23:21:54.744+09:00I Want to go on an Adventure
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Have you ever wanted to do something amazing? Have you ever
wanted to do something so cool that you could look back on it for years and
years and be proud you did it? Have you ever wanted to do something so “off the
wall” that would be able to amaze people with the tales for years to come?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I definitely do. My inner adventurer is screaming to be let
out. I have been daydreaming and thinking about various adventures I want to go
on for years now. Some are here in Japan where I live, but most are not. Many
are in Canada and elsewhere.</div>
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<br /></div>
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There are really only two things that don’t allow me to run
off and be an adventurer at the moment. The first is the fact that I have two
small children. I try to help out as much as I can at home and I love being
with my kids. An adventure that takes a few days would be ok. An adventure that
would take months or weeks might be another story.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The second thing holding me back from running off into the
great outdoors and doing something incredible…money. Big adventures don’t tend
to come cheap. You need to pay for transportation, equipment, food and what
about lost income. I am the breadwinner in my family and if I am off trudging
through a forest, running through a desert or kayaking down a river, how do the
bills back home get paid?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before I talk about overcoming these obstacles, lets take a
look at some of my recent “adventure ideas.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<b>The Arctic Marathon:</b>
that’s right! Every year there is a marathon at the North Pole. It seems like a
pretty cool event. I have run many full marathons before, but this one would be
an amazing race to take on. This would also make for a great story to film
(thinking about making documentary about any adventure I make). I’ve researched
it a bit and it is REALLY expensive to take on. Even the recommended gear to
wear is REALLY expensive. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNsHaK3T7LmzWHu3glvfLPPacZPteJKmA9CLDKfIVjs5Hn2uTefI7swVcksEp3nQj30-2oYwFneDudJ8Rky3KxYvYrlBSPKIM1IVvmUu4r196BVpfEzRbsmEFXGhVfaHaNu65idDH8pdp/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-08-16+at+11.19.39+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNsHaK3T7LmzWHu3glvfLPPacZPteJKmA9CLDKfIVjs5Hn2uTefI7swVcksEp3nQj30-2oYwFneDudJ8Rky3KxYvYrlBSPKIM1IVvmUu4r196BVpfEzRbsmEFXGhVfaHaNu65idDH8pdp/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-08-16+at+11.19.39+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Les Marathon des
Sables:</b> Known as one of the toughest foot races in the world, this is a
stage race that takes place over a week in the Moroccan desert. I have been
seriously dreaming and planning this one for about four years now. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZytrc6pSRTDsgMe2D-u2A9MUybNiz35_bJCv9rXQo5Muf2T58CcTvY2e8VUg3qMSCL_B854Gxs5rYBNg-Jp0GfF2gOVZmrtgp4NjhkD5a_Z3upy9QWxqox_trbgSw2H_gXY2ntxFEEX-/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-08-16+at+11.15.44+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZytrc6pSRTDsgMe2D-u2A9MUybNiz35_bJCv9rXQo5Muf2T58CcTvY2e8VUg3qMSCL_B854Gxs5rYBNg-Jp0GfF2gOVZmrtgp4NjhkD5a_Z3upy9QWxqox_trbgSw2H_gXY2ntxFEEX-/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-08-16+at+11.15.44+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Hiking the Appalachian
Trail:</b> I have been thinking about hiking America’s most famous trail ever
since I read the book “A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson when I was in
university. Hiking all the way from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount
Katahdin in Maine would be a dream. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Hiking Ontario’s
Waterfront Trail:</b> Hiking from Cornwall to Windsor along the Great Lakes.
The Waterfront Trail is almost 1,400km of hiking and exploration goodness. What
I like about this trail is the fact that I have family members who live in
towns along the route (I can visit them). I also like the fact that I’d be
having an adventure in Canada.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Walking Across Japan
(or part of it):</b> What an amazing time that would be. It would take months,
but the experience would be worthy of a book or documentary or both! There are
so many amazing places to see and so much culture to learn about. Taking on a
challenge like this and for a good cause would be a pretty cool thing!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Racing the Planet:</b>
This is a race series that sees runner doing stage races across 4 of the
world’s biggest deserts. It looks amazing. It looks like the adventure of a
lifetime. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2CSK7hZRlI2B6HY-gEauUcIPT6keDHvyNgtN0UCK_SxTJ1AtvC2O6mnZoRpo-TChKc9XD2um2uhURmpDy7qPU87oPu-Hg9dUXr7J7oBAashAdxfWB_FVAecc53owKgWQ0weR44taFgLq/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-08-16+at+11.12.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2CSK7hZRlI2B6HY-gEauUcIPT6keDHvyNgtN0UCK_SxTJ1AtvC2O6mnZoRpo-TChKc9XD2um2uhURmpDy7qPU87oPu-Hg9dUXr7J7oBAashAdxfWB_FVAecc53owKgWQ0weR44taFgLq/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-08-16+at+11.12.25+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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Some of these adventures I’m dreaming of are more doable
than others. A Racing the Planet run as well as the Marathon des Sables would
only take a few weeks out of my life. Some of them would involve months.</div>
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If I were to take on an adventure I’d have a few solid goals
from the get go. First, I would choose a charitable cause and fundraise for it.
I would use this adventure as a way of raising my fundraising profile. </div>
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Next, I would upgrade my camera equipment and film my
adventure. I would record lots of footage as well as my thoughts. I’d later
take all the footage and turn it into a documentary style film. </div>
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How the heck would I get the money to buy “adventure gear”,
travel and take part in the adventure, keep my family financially secure while
I was on my adventure and buy the proper equipment to make my documentary? </div>
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There are basically two possibilities. First, I could pursue
sponsorship. I could approach various companies and ask them to help fund my
adventure and in return give them more exposure and advertising. This might be
a possibility since I do have some decent social media clout due to my YouTube
channels and friends within the YouTube community.</div>
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The second way to raise fund is to crowd source it. I would
come up with my idea. Map it out and plan it in a very detailed way. I would
make budgets and then start getting creative with my filming and editing. I
would need to make a “pitch” video and then start a Kickstarter or maybe search
for funding on Indiegogo. With my social media reach this might be a possible
way to go.</div>
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Honestly, I would probably take both approaches. I’d seek
sponsorship and the crowd source it as well. In order to make this more
appealing to both companies and people (so they will part with some
money/equipment) I would need to make my adventure exciting. Something people
would find cool. Something people would really get behind and be excited about.
I would then have to clearly show folks how I will “bring them along” on my
journey and let them share in it. Once my adventure is complete, I’ll need to
produce something great. A short documentary and or a book would be ideal.
Making sure people know that if they support me they’ll get those cool end
products for no additional charge might make the proposition more appealing
too!</div>
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Time to get serious and start planning my adventure. Are you
going to back me up? ;)</div>
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You can find me on <a href="http://twitter.com/jlandkev" target="_blank">Twitter: @jlandkev</a></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Kevin Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16173830755983155580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824417013751474461.post-60412719273587784272013-08-15T10:29:00.001+09:002013-08-15T10:29:12.497+09:00Raising a Bilingual Child: Parents Communicating<div class="MsoNormal"><b><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Raising a Bilingual Child<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Good Communication and Planning With Your Spouse<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">One of the keys to being able to raise bilingual children is strong communication with your spouse. It’s also good to have a clear action plan and make sure that you’re on the same page.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In an earlier post about only speaking English at home I talked about a Japanese wife who had anxiety about her husband only using Japanese with their kids. The situation in itself is absolutely fine. If you have no interest in your children learning English (or another language) and fine with only one, there are no issues at all with both parents speaking Japanese. The mother was feeling anxiety though because she wants her children to speak English as well as Japanese. By the sounds of it, the two parents are definitely not on the same page. Have they ever sat down and talked about their children’s language development? Have they discussed future plans? Who knows, but these are things that parents need to talk about.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I think my wife and I have been pretty good so far with discussing our children’s language learning. After the kids have gone to bed at night we have sat up and talked about what DVDs would be good for our son, which kindergartens would be best and how my wife will use English in the house. We thought about English kindergartens as well as Japanese kindergartens for my son. We’ve decided to send him to a Japanese kindergarten next year and are now thinking about how will reinforce his English once his Japanese language development takes off.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">About a year ago, when my son’s Japanese language skills really started to take off I started to feel stress and anxiety. I thought to myself at times, “Man…I wish I was raising him in Canada now.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Although I am a trained teacher and have read a lot about the topic I couldn’t help myself, but get stressed. I KNOW that we are in Japan so of course he’ll develop Japanese first. I KNOW he uses Japanese all day long so of course it would be his first language. I said to myself, this is all ok. No problem. I said this to myself, but still started to feel anxiety when I saw one language developing more rapidly than the other.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I then talked to my wife about my feelings. She was great. She listened and reassured me that she would also work hard to make sure our son learned as much English as possible. Her reassurance definitely made me feel better. I think that fact that we have been communicating our feelings about teaching our children has helped reduce stress a great deal.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I think some important questions spouses can ask each other if they are in a similar situation are:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What language goals do we want for our kids? (Bilingual, unilingual, trilingual?)<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: italic; "><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">How will we help develop our child’s second language?<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: italic; "><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Will we be solely responsible for the second language development or send our child to an English-language preschool/kindergarten/international school?<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: italic; "><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If our child goes to an international school, how will their primary language develop? How will their understanding of Japanese culture (where they live) develop?<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: italic; "><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If our child goes to an English kindergarten elsewhere, how will they have a chance to make local friends?<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: italic; "><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">English kindergartens tend to have very small class sizes. Will my child lose out on social opportunities and his/her ability to develop social problem solving skills (ones they would develop in a larger class)?<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: italic; "><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Will I get cable/satellite television so my child has English language television to watch?<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: italic; "><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Will I buy them English language DVDs? Which ones? (Put some serious thought into this one. It’s easy to choose DVDS that have no educational quality or your kids will have no interest in.)<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: italic; "><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Will I make my home an English-only environment in the evenings? (Forcing a language on someone may cause him or her to resent it.)<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: italic; "><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Will studying my child’s first language help me teach him his second language? (Probably yes since you will know what they are saying in their first language and then you can teach them how to say the same thing in their second language).<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: italic; "><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">How can we make language-learning fun?<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: italic; "><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">How and at what age will we start to teach them to read and write? (Speaking and listening comes easily compared to these. Speaking and listening can be learned passively just by being immersed in the language environment whereas reading and writing must be actively taught and reinforced with much practice).<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: italic; "><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What do we do if at some point our child refuses to use his/her second language? (language rebellion)?<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There are many other questions families will find them asking themselves and each other through out their child’s education.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Communication within the family is a key to raising successful language learners. It’s also an important factor in reducing any stress that may arise in the family. It’s extremely important for parents to be on the same page!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You can find me on Twitter: @jlandkev</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></div>Kevin Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16173830755983155580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824417013751474461.post-78543181765996172092013-08-14T08:46:00.001+09:002013-08-14T08:46:09.188+09:0010 Reasons to Hate Japan in the Summer<span style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">The dog days of summer just don't want to end here in Japan. Summer has been hot. Summer has been long. Summer just got a lot longer starting last week when a heat wave rolled across Japan.</span><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">Everyday has been close to 40C. It's rough. I spend a great deal of my day bitching and complaining about the heat. I'm not alone in this though. Almost every Japanese person I know has been complaining even more than I have.</div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">I've decided to make a list of the top 10 things I really hate about struggling through a Japanese heat wave.</div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">1. Wet clothes! My clothes are soaking wet the moment I leave the house. I'm not alone here. As I look around the train platform in the morning or afternoon I see a sea of pain contorted faces. People wearing sweat soaked shirts and dresses. It's definitely necessary to bring an extra shirt to work in the morning!</div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49hkaPlmpX6LL39VfBL2hAX5RyaawdyD93cEcPfJO6nr0MVFkDVKHFAhTqSK6cf794Mlb1YlHDrNrN4oycQVsdrFoI9tWU4Lh2zF9WzV2zWwI3D_7t4vChHKITOab9Mmzu1FaFqGJz7Oc/s640/blogger-image--1736787286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49hkaPlmpX6LL39VfBL2hAX5RyaawdyD93cEcPfJO6nr0MVFkDVKHFAhTqSK6cf794Mlb1YlHDrNrN4oycQVsdrFoI9tWU4Lh2zF9WzV2zWwI3D_7t4vChHKITOab9Mmzu1FaFqGJz7Oc/s640/blogger-image--1736787286.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">2. Air conditioners in Japanese houses are small and struggle to cool down the rooms they're placed in. With the a/c units cranked to cool it still takes hours to cool down my apartment to a tolerable level.</div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">3. I find myself complaining a lot more than I normally do!</div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">4. You go I to a convenience store to buy an ice cream to cool down. The instant you step outside, it instantly melts and drips down your hand and arm.</div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">5. Get on a crowded train filled with sweaty businessmen! Smells like a large dead animal was carefully placed in the ventilation system.</div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">6. Being outside too long makes me grumpy and dizzy.</div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">7. My beer gets warm really fast!</div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">8. Even more Japanese women are sporting parasols (that's right...still used in Japan) and they don't pay attention when they walk in crowds with them. It's "almost getting your eye poked out by a parasol" season!!!</div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">9. I'm unable to rip the a/c unit out of my daily commuter train and bring it home...cause the one in the train actually works!</div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">10. The crazy people I see on the train every day seem to become even crazier! </div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">You can find me on Twitter: @jlandkev </div><div><br></div>Kevin Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16173830755983155580noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824417013751474461.post-63762482863138503552013-08-13T19:20:00.001+09:002013-08-13T19:20:05.036+09:00Raising a Bilingual Child: Only Speaking English to my Children
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Teaching Tips: ONLY
Speaking English to my Children<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some of you out there may find yourself in a situation
similar to the one I’ll talk about today. You may be in a different country and
the language in question may not be English, but your situation may be similar.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am in Japan. I have two very young children and a Japanese
wife. We want our children to be completely and effortlessly bilingual. I work
during the day and my wife stays home raising our kids. She takes them out
everyday to play with their friends in the playground and they are very active
in other ways. They go to the local community center, kindergarten and day care
for various classes throughout the week. My son even takes swimming lessons.
All of these are done in Japanese of course. We are in Japan after all. This
means the majority of my kids’ days are spent immersed in the Japanese
language. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My wife works hard to add some English throughout the day.
She speaks to them at times in English and they watch DVDs of children’s
programs from America, Australia and Canada. When I come home from work in the
evening and on weekends that is really their chance to learn English. That is
their opportunity to interact with a native English speaker using natural
English. Time for them to play with their Daddy!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In a way, my poor Japanese skills have worked to an
advantage for both my kids and me as I try to teach them English. At three
years of age, my son already knows that English is his father’s language and
Japanese is his mother’s. Since I
don’t speak Japanese (trying to remedy that at the moment), I must communicate
with him in English and vice versa. Within our household it is a win/win
situation. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, even if I could speak Japanese fluently I wouldn’t use
it in front of my son during our day-to-day interactions. If I did, I would be
robbing him of his chance to hear and utilize the Native English speaker living
under his own roof. I would be taking away his teacher. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We live in Japan and every time my children head out the
door Japanese surrounds them. They practice the language constantly and it is
of course their first language. They don’t need me to speak it to them.
Understanding Japanese does of course help me though. Often, my son may not
know how to express himself in English. He asks me a question or makes a
statement in Japanese. If I understand what he is saying, I can model the
language for him in English. He speaks to me in Japanese; I repeat what he just
said in English and then make him repeat it. The “modeling” style of language
teaching works extremely well and the more Japanese I understand, the better I
will be at using this method. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My wife has told me that some Japanese women she has met who
are married to foreign men such as myself worry when their husbands only speak
Japanese to their kids. Pre-school to early elementary school is what is known
as the critical phase of language acquisition. That's the time when a child can
learn a new language with no accent and sound like a native speaker (or at
least close to it). One mother
shared her worries with my wife. She said that her kindergarten-aged children
could only speak Japanese and was stressed because when they travel to America
to meet her husband’s family, the kids would not have the ability to
communicate. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvJ27EFHkD9IDdaEgf8fXeTKwsBeDlbtCoaF9UE3TIYhe4PgP7z-9K0drWMtgYSN3fD3wdHznEpt1mNYergZJzE570E_IA3EKDFx-6ia2KVsiKFgSMby8P_pk01AVdRRYA1pOco65o3O0/s1600/english.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvJ27EFHkD9IDdaEgf8fXeTKwsBeDlbtCoaF9UE3TIYhe4PgP7z-9K0drWMtgYSN3fD3wdHznEpt1mNYergZJzE570E_IA3EKDFx-6ia2KVsiKFgSMby8P_pk01AVdRRYA1pOco65o3O0/s320/english.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s something I think about often. I live far away from
my family in Canada and someday I plan to return there with my family. For
whatever reason, even if we stayed in Japan, half of my son’s family (and the
majority of relatives) are Canadian and don’t speak Japanese. When we visit
Canada and spend time with them, how will he be able to communicate with his
grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles? He simply wouldn’t be able to. He’s be
missing out on so much. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I suppose, another thing I would worry about, if I spoke
Japanese to my son would be teaching him my bad pronunciation and broken
grammar. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the end of the day, whether my family moves to Canada or
stays in Japan, my children will have wonderful advantages if they are able to
communicate flawlessly in two languages. By using only English when I am with
them, I am giving them the chance to always be with a teacher. I just have to
remember to always be encouraging, make them comfortable to speak English and
correct (in a caring way) the mistakes they make. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You can follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/jlandkev" target="_blank">TWITTER: @jlandkev</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Kevin Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16173830755983155580noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824417013751474461.post-32534835589341191532013-08-12T22:10:00.000+09:002013-08-12T22:10:13.715+09:00Raising a Bilingual Child: Code Switching
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Code Switching - Up close and personal<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have to admit that watching my son’s language development
is absolutely amazing. I grew up in “one language” household. My family used
English. Now, my family in Japan uses both English in the house and outside as
well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My son is now a newly minted 3 year-old. As I’ve mentioned
before, his first language is Japanese and his second language is English. His speaking skills are quite high and
it is clear that he can communicate much more fluently in Japanese, but what I
have noticed recently is the dramatic increase in his code-switching skills.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In linguistics, code switching is switching between two or
more language varieties, in the context of a single conversation. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When my son was only one year old he started conversing in
both English and Japanese with family and friends. At that point he didn’t
realize that there was a difference between the two languages he was learning. He
would speak to his little friends in a mixture of English and Japanese and they
would just look at him blankly. Their Japanese skills were also just emerging,
but of course, they didn’t understand any English. Not long after he was two
years old, a switch in his brain was flipped and he realized that when he was
at the local kindergarten, community center or playground with his friends and
their mothers, he should only speak Japanese. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The most basic and obvious examples of code switching with
my son are in the home when he interacts with his mother, who is Japanese and
myself. When I come home from wok in the evening, he runs down the hall yelling
“Hello Daddy” and then he commences to tell me about his day’s adventures in
English. When I respond to him in English, he runs back down the hall and tells
my wife what I just said, but in Japanese. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the dinner table he sits at the end and we sit on either
side of him. The majority of his day is spent “living in Japanese” so when I
come home my wife and I speak English to each other and to my son (and now
daughter). We haven’t set an “English Only” rule in our house that some other
people do. We just tend to use English because my Japanese skills are not
strong. Also, even though I am currently learning Japanese, I choose not to use
it around my son since his only daily opportunities to hear natural English are
with me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Mc_rDABh8WBZmzMIS87J4Bse80IrliTHEr10Ce9g-MDLFGTCI-jIOb5MNNSyDbrUT7RgkoIQGs01S_yNZEwVbflMszYaAgNcIWPrXmYx8DfeMi0NeOlZ1-fiBr7jaE27SlzFbE4Yih0G/s1600/eating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Mc_rDABh8WBZmzMIS87J4Bse80IrliTHEr10Ce9g-MDLFGTCI-jIOb5MNNSyDbrUT7RgkoIQGs01S_yNZEwVbflMszYaAgNcIWPrXmYx8DfeMi0NeOlZ1-fiBr7jaE27SlzFbE4Yih0G/s320/eating.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our normal dinner experiences are in English. At times
though, my son will tell me a story in English and then immediately turn to his
mother and repeat the story in Japanese. Other times, he will share it with her
in English.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Watching his code switching skills evolve is a constant and
wonderful process. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You can follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/jlandkev" target="_blank">Twitter: @jlandkev</a></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Kevin Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16173830755983155580noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824417013751474461.post-71435524288466176842013-07-31T08:43:00.001+09:002013-07-31T08:44:12.655+09:00Walking Away from the Not So Good<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Change can be a scary thing at times. Other times it can be
en extremely good thing. Sometimes change is a very necessary thing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have been through many changes so far this year. Some have
been wonderful; the birth of my second child; some have not been o wonderful. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Employment-wise, this has been a rocky year for me. I have been
in Japan, living and working as an international school teacher since 2008. Earlier
this year I completed my final contract with the only employer I knew since coming
to Japan. They wanted me to stay on and continue working there, but I felt it
was time for a change. I needed a change and wanted to break away from the secure
and somewhat predictable existence that had become my work life there. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I searched for jobs online and realized a few things (things
I had actually realized long before). The two things I learned:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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1. <span style="text-indent: -18pt;">There are not so many jobs for teachers in Japan.</span></div>
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2. The pay schools offer teachers really sucks!</div>
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The standard par for a language school teacher or international
kindergarten teacher in Japan is only about 250,000Yen per month. With current
exchange rates, that adds up to about $31,000 per year. By Canadian standards,
with a family my size living in a city as large as the one I do, that’s about
$6000.00 below the poverty line according to Statistic’s Canada. Some teaching
jobs in Japan pay even less than that. If I were teaching in Canada right now (with
my years experience), I’d be making more than double that salary.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsgh740yPzveEIrkDos-q7ug9m9kSZ4WdttVAhpo2C0t95cPETuCo0Hj5x3OES-MzC-keZx1qVgrK9JnZMY5qF4q1zxyJgzKultpUo816lAE0YnjwvAALN02r4ZPh2yhhOCdQd-j9D77U/s1600/classroom-clip-art-7.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsgh740yPzveEIrkDos-q7ug9m9kSZ4WdttVAhpo2C0t95cPETuCo0Hj5x3OES-MzC-keZx1qVgrK9JnZMY5qF4q1zxyJgzKultpUo816lAE0YnjwvAALN02r4ZPh2yhhOCdQd-j9D77U/s320/classroom-clip-art-7.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was able to find a new job quickly (benefit of having a teaching
credential) and was promised a lot. The pay was to be decent and there were to
be other perks. Once I began working at my new company I quickly realized that
many of the things promised to me during the interview and contract signing process
were fabrications. I also quickly learned that things weren’t going to change for
me. </div>
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I suppose I really only had two options. I could do things the
Japanese way and just suck it up and complete my year contract or I could doing
something bolder and make a change. I decided to do the latter. There’s no point
in putting your blood, sweat and tears into a job when you’re not receiving the
things promised; even more so, when you have a family to support.</div>
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My wife and I searched for another opportunity. I focused on
jobs in Canada (really hard to get one when you are not in Canada I discovered)
and she looked for ones in Japan. She came across what looked to be a good opportunity
for me. </div>
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I pursued it and…SUCCESS!</div>
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I found a new job and then gave my notice at the company that
had “promised” me so much. </div>
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Today is my last day of work at my old company and tomorrow I
start a new and exciting challenge. Things will be very different. I will have
more pay, shorter working hours, less responsibility and more time to work on
improving my Japanese. </div>
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Today is a good day.</div>
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Tomorrow will be an even better day I think.</div>
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Someday, when I am no longer living in Japan, I will tell
you about this in more detail. </div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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Follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/jlandkev" target="_blank">Twitter: @jlandkev</a></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Kevin Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16173830755983155580noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824417013751474461.post-9880272132728426492013-07-31T08:35:00.001+09:002013-07-31T08:35:13.659+09:00A Day in Osaka<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Just a couple of pictures I took yesterday in Osaka (where I work). A small butterfly enjoying a flower and a cool little alleyway.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1oDnoZndpAJTtUpVjJhXKlBQYo1kIbT6Zhn_TkF00aD1oBg_mQLWzTHD47AuU-4LYRT5imYqVCS-DCsXenbcZiPJqMZp6RmogPTcMh4st4-YcIjzsaDIJbHMkAM2hMmDYowvvDTY64vt/s640/blogger-image--563827619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1oDnoZndpAJTtUpVjJhXKlBQYo1kIbT6Zhn_TkF00aD1oBg_mQLWzTHD47AuU-4LYRT5imYqVCS-DCsXenbcZiPJqMZp6RmogPTcMh4st4-YcIjzsaDIJbHMkAM2hMmDYowvvDTY64vt/s640/blogger-image--563827619.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryDN5i3VLirTo5WA2NA0detF-I7iXE68uDhJ5nvftF_6nJ2YyEOHN4qwtH7h6W-gxrebD4YHDRussKeKqSdLJRtoHS7YKPoLMPe6h2g9lrf9QAgYe6HlZ30IuMn-YSHQvEqRRbis4HZeQ/s640/blogger-image-292753644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryDN5i3VLirTo5WA2NA0detF-I7iXE68uDhJ5nvftF_6nJ2YyEOHN4qwtH7h6W-gxrebD4YHDRussKeKqSdLJRtoHS7YKPoLMPe6h2g9lrf9QAgYe6HlZ30IuMn-YSHQvEqRRbis4HZeQ/s640/blogger-image-292753644.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Kevin Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16173830755983155580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824417013751474461.post-67247802473037128702013-04-30T17:43:00.000+09:002013-04-30T17:43:04.797+09:00Making Friends Abroad: Samurai RunningI have been in Japan for 5 years and in Asia since 2002. During my time here, I've met a lot of really amazing people, but I have to admit, it has been difficult to meet fellow foreigners who share my enjoyment of running. I know they are out there. I see foreign runners from time to time, but I don't feel comfortable stopping them while in mid-run.<br />
<br />
I have had the good fortune of meeting some Japanese runners in my time here, but of course would like to met more. I often feel uncomfortable approaching local runners due to the fact that my Japanese language skills aren't very strong.<br />
<br />
Last year, my friend <a href="http://the-long.blogspot.jp/" target="_blank">Scott Brown</a>, an elite masters runner based in Sakai, a suburb of Osaka suggested forming a running club. He suggested the name "Samurai Runners" and it would be a great way for foreign runners in this part of Japan to network, exchange advice and information about races as well as to socialize. A foreigner running club could give like-minded runners the chance to go for runs together an maybe even organize informal running events. The idea of local Japanese runners joining makes it an even more fun concept.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouKJG65yZPECDqm15UYRrhUlXjOUh0mMnb5rXhwsfi_0TQqMNJo5bVjAluaAnsGmYUx7hwx2BmgNL4oA9IjPossdn_lRvA2l3vdLw_o0DJYgYV3wBfI6La9vyCI_MdbiagbAoiJGFlZBT/s1600/globalgraph.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouKJG65yZPECDqm15UYRrhUlXjOUh0mMnb5rXhwsfi_0TQqMNJo5bVjAluaAnsGmYUx7hwx2BmgNL4oA9IjPossdn_lRvA2l3vdLw_o0DJYgYV3wBfI6La9vyCI_MdbiagbAoiJGFlZBT/s1600/globalgraph.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Earlier this morning I created the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Samurai-Runners-Kobe/158492164319305?ref=hl" target="_blank">"Samurai Runners - Kobe" Facebook Page</a>. Scott is making one for the Osaka area. Hopefully in time, this group can grown into a fun social group.<br />
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If you are in the Kansai area or anywhere else in Japan, you are MORE than welcome to join by "Liking" the page. I even plan to set up virtual running events as well as an opportunity for runners in Japan to do charity activities.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQH22GK80tAYtyiWVmoDV9O87WDrx4vO0DBtRWM644feR1EGxDOcjrNl2TqmIoVzc4QJkDqUUD0ESk3kXgnfKpLljsSWhSwZBCsZmMZIdo-xnDVYNEmJghYj2EarHBhStc7IVNCWdUSoiu/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-01-01+at+9.46.55+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQH22GK80tAYtyiWVmoDV9O87WDrx4vO0DBtRWM644feR1EGxDOcjrNl2TqmIoVzc4QJkDqUUD0ESk3kXgnfKpLljsSWhSwZBCsZmMZIdo-xnDVYNEmJghYj2EarHBhStc7IVNCWdUSoiu/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-01-01+at+9.46.55+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
So, if you live in the Kansai area and want to join a new running group, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Samurai-Runners-Kobe/158492164319305?ref=hl" target="_blank">LIKE the "Samurai Runners - Kobe."</a> Also, if you are planning to travel to Japan on vacation or for business and want more information about running in the area, become a member.</div>
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More information about the Osaka "Samurai Runners" group will come soon!</div>
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You can also follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/jlandkev" target="_blank">Twitter: @jlandkev</a> </div>
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<br />Kevin Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16173830755983155580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824417013751474461.post-25510748379560866642013-04-23T07:17:00.001+09:002013-04-23T07:17:17.573+09:00Second Baby Blues?T-minus 6 days. That's the due date of my second child. If she comes then, I'll be home with my family during Golden Week. If she comes earlier, I may be racing to Kobe from work and hopefully will get to the hospital in time to see my new little daughter arrive. Hard to say though, I hear the second one comes quickly.<br />
<br />
Amazing, the way that I feel. I've been through this before. My son was born nearly 3 years ago, but now I'm filled with nervous anxiety again. It feels like I'm becoming a father again for the first time. I'm assuming that emotions like this are common among parents about to have a second child.<br />
<br />
Ah well...I'll keep you fine folks posted.<br />
<br />
Until then, I'll just try to have fun and be silly with my family!<br />
<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1zwZPJSufViiw3_ZuHKixAfv1XRHXjJlRVAoydXuoWhP07m8UMg-YWUcd6y0yAQOR0BQIVDDF6ByNnXTHzAWaWbhTkbXZPZEKEaEdXPUUpngRu9xBxiA0vjKfiQPSZO1WsOrqJegOmry/s640/blogger-image--1243077771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1zwZPJSufViiw3_ZuHKixAfv1XRHXjJlRVAoydXuoWhP07m8UMg-YWUcd6y0yAQOR0BQIVDDF6ByNnXTHzAWaWbhTkbXZPZEKEaEdXPUUpngRu9xBxiA0vjKfiQPSZO1WsOrqJegOmry/s640/blogger-image--1243077771.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojwUk8JTDzeWpQkba_uekDLoTMi_mXGZbVV0xrGSNmX4MEWCeIuEv1MeGOq66ndx3NnG5hHcgD-NmDdNFKrC6lurgfNQ6T0YFg5SuJftRuHkciNysqGFUIw8VgDNolBkmq-xPZ17oyszu/s640/blogger-image-1649725173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojwUk8JTDzeWpQkba_uekDLoTMi_mXGZbVV0xrGSNmX4MEWCeIuEv1MeGOq66ndx3NnG5hHcgD-NmDdNFKrC6lurgfNQ6T0YFg5SuJftRuHkciNysqGFUIw8VgDNolBkmq-xPZ17oyszu/s640/blogger-image-1649725173.jpg" /></a></div>Kevin Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16173830755983155580noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824417013751474461.post-85317660027368506212013-04-21T09:53:00.001+09:002013-04-21T09:53:28.490+09:00Running Around KobeI haven't been running much lately. If you at all follow my blog, you know I am a runner. I suppose lately I've been a non-practicing runner. <br />
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I have applied for Osaka Marathon 2013 and tomorrow will apply for Kobe Marathon 2013. Soooooo....I went for a run today! <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_u6pk537QAaCM-YmH8XX9qoALTMXqacrLtULXOt6WovAXA-_k8lM6L17OI2ex6RvuSlkYGxw429UqHiogFBkn9YyCzQp9IqHMumCeIco3R99yCUExy-e9bCHM_kWaIvdHRi4crb5AgDg/s640/blogger-image-1663781989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_u6pk537QAaCM-YmH8XX9qoALTMXqacrLtULXOt6WovAXA-_k8lM6L17OI2ex6RvuSlkYGxw429UqHiogFBkn9YyCzQp9IqHMumCeIco3R99yCUExy-e9bCHM_kWaIvdHRi4crb5AgDg/s640/blogger-image-1663781989.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicf9jQLfxxpipnxvYSHDraePduer3PYshShSeK26Cb5wa5aXQWKWAdayGJCJPfI7OfqqhWma57c7K1Z2py2Pa88lNymof1WaVKyoyktXXHL3tvuhTNiL7AIZ-Vk8XyytD_nWUvZPO76l8a/s640/blogger-image-714882995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicf9jQLfxxpipnxvYSHDraePduer3PYshShSeK26Cb5wa5aXQWKWAdayGJCJPfI7OfqqhWma57c7K1Z2py2Pa88lNymof1WaVKyoyktXXHL3tvuhTNiL7AIZ-Vk8XyytD_nWUvZPO76l8a/s640/blogger-image-714882995.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgbl93zJT8UDkVgzQ6dy3ECB_ZwoRNU2JnGNQ4FyTUcBIQh7dPfl0jbXROW2zaaUrK4wwQtjjeosoMBz_lHkwOK39PNO8gXcNWVOwY3Gdyuo0HqX19r3CFTN6o47ROhIvZiZa8Zwm-KEN/s640/blogger-image-33359275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgbl93zJT8UDkVgzQ6dy3ECB_ZwoRNU2JnGNQ4FyTUcBIQh7dPfl0jbXROW2zaaUrK4wwQtjjeosoMBz_lHkwOK39PNO8gXcNWVOwY3Gdyuo0HqX19r3CFTN6o47ROhIvZiZa8Zwm-KEN/s640/blogger-image-33359275.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOqD1-TFoMNt8v89teQ3KQyqXg3XkM-7SAArVLB9FaWdB_ikSF8FsMdg0A7XhhqUp1-wa-UfzShO3GOdd5C150IKtcD74fAo4l8DL_h9JndDbPvH9eDwLQSl1jJjd9orqTkrutmdSDTBn/s640/blogger-image-524748636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOqD1-TFoMNt8v89teQ3KQyqXg3XkM-7SAArVLB9FaWdB_ikSF8FsMdg0A7XhhqUp1-wa-UfzShO3GOdd5C150IKtcD74fAo4l8DL_h9JndDbPvH9eDwLQSl1jJjd9orqTkrutmdSDTBn/s640/blogger-image-524748636.jpg" /></a></div>Kevin Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16173830755983155580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824417013751474461.post-55352499593622259162013-04-08T17:59:00.001+09:002013-04-08T17:59:58.330+09:00Japanese Crime FightersI saw something pretty cool today. I suppose it was a cool thing because of the positive outcome. I saw something I've never seen during my entire 5 years living in Japan. <br />
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I saw a crime...<br />
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Now, the actual crime itself wasn't cool. Crime by default isn't cool. It was cool because I witnessed some<br />
good Samaritans apprehend a potential criminal.<br />
<br />
I was in a subway station in downtown Osaka today after purchasing some bookcases for my new classroom. Myself and a colleague had just put our boxes down in front of the entrance so I could buy a ticket. <br />
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I walked to the ticket machine and I could hear yelling of some sort in the distance. I could then see a man, in his late 20's running (not very quickly) while holding a woman's handbag. He was desperately rummaging through the bag as he ran. An elderly man was in chase yelling that the man was a thief! <br />
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Suddenly, a business man, in a suit lay chase. He was a fit looking guy in this late 30's. Within seconds he was behind the guy and tackled him from behind. As they got up another couple of men standing nearby grabbed hold of the suspected thief as well. Within minutes a policeman came, grabbed the guy and threw him up against the wall. <br />
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The man who did the tackle started to walk away and I intercepted him. I walked up, shook his hand, patted him on the back and thanked him. That put a huge smile on his face.<br />
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I wrote about this on Facebook shortly after I witnessed it. Some people asked I I helped capture the guy. I didn't. I didn't have to!<br />
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Felt pretty awesome seeing regular people doing good and making the world a enter place.<br />
Kevin Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16173830755983155580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824417013751474461.post-68437224949271563322013-04-03T18:37:00.001+09:002013-04-03T18:37:41.900+09:00My train smells like ASS!Nasty, Nasty Trains in Japan<br />
<br />
So here's the deal. April 1st marked the new fiscal year in Japan. I live in Japan and recently changed jobs. I used to work relatively close to my house in Kobe and my commute was relatively painless. With the new fiscal year and the new job came a new commute. My new commute is a long one to the middle of Osaka and three train lines and about 90 minutes each way, I get from my house to work.<br />
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I've been spending a lot of time on a very crowded train this week and I've come to realize a few things: <br />
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1. The direction a train goes in can mean a lot to a poor ole commuter. I'm taking the same train I have for the last few years, but this time it's heading in a different direction. Last year, it was heading towards some small cities and wasn't very crowded. This year it's heading the Japan's third largest city, Osaka and its a freakin cattle call! Bloody packed with commuters.<br />
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2. The second thing I've come to notice had to do with number one. The trains are bloody packed with "salarymen" ( non-descript, black suit wearing office workers). They are so crowded that they lead to the next few observations I've had.<br />
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3. They stink! The trains simply smell bad. Pack a small metal box with hundreds of people and there is a very dynamic array of aromas. You can smell body odour, last night's (or this morning's) alcohol, garlic, pickles, farts and more!<br />
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4. They are HOT! Too many people combined with no understanding of climate control cause excessive suffering. Japanese trains kick the heat on near the end of winter and don't turn it off til spring has ended and summer has arrived. It really makes no sense and my advice is to not even attempt to figure it out. There is no answer! <br />
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My conclusion is:<br />
<br />
Trains used to commute in the city are not fun. It's not a deep conclusion, but it's all I got! <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNTuZM9WBCDUX1mVVnWS3QORp58Z4z3SLqURNRQ-iGo-DtsTPAi9SDwPiSVHtGzBIg0JNr6m__VyE5AWXHvv4Co7y-OPmyT6wTMzAH69PaX8hzyoLViFu5rSmuPpYmch5ZSEmsqut_09Y/s640/blogger-image--1086975551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNTuZM9WBCDUX1mVVnWS3QORp58Z4z3SLqURNRQ-iGo-DtsTPAi9SDwPiSVHtGzBIg0JNr6m__VyE5AWXHvv4Co7y-OPmyT6wTMzAH69PaX8hzyoLViFu5rSmuPpYmch5ZSEmsqut_09Y/s640/blogger-image--1086975551.jpg" /></a></div>Kevin Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16173830755983155580noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824417013751474461.post-77990481536360433832013-04-02T18:40:00.001+09:002013-04-02T18:40:26.025+09:00Learning Japanese and English at the same timeLate last year and earlier this year I began writing about raising my son to be a bilingual child. His first language, Japanese, was progressing quickly and his English was coming along as well. <br />
<br />
Fast forward ahead to April 2013 and my son is now 2 years 8 months old. Naturally, both languages have been progressing rapidly and his ability to communicate with others and express himself has grown by leaps and bounds. He can speak to his mother and Japanese adults/children in full, yet simple sentences. He is also able to understand most of what he hears.<br />
<br />
Having entered the world of the Terrible Two's so his favorite phrases in both Japanese and English are, "I don't want to" and "I can't."<br />
<br />
In English, his basic vocabulary continues to grow quickly. His language bank of nouns, verbs and adjectives is expanding, but he can struggle when it comes to putting them together. Sometimes his storytelling sessions are very easy to understand while at other times it's more of a challenge for me to fully comprehend. <br />
<br />
I think one of the most interesting recent aspects of his language development has been his language switching. He now seems to have made the distinction in his mind that he speaks Japanese to Mommy (who is Japanese) and English to Daddy (moi...a Canadian dude). My wife often speaks English to him and even a few months ago he would reply to her in English, but now he won't. He only speaks to my wife in Japanese no matter what language she uses with him. On top of that, he even seems somewhat annoyed when she does speak to him in English. I'm assuming that people out there in a similar family makeup have had similar experiences.<br />
<br />
We're continuing to give him the opportunity to watch lots of English TV and movies which have helped. He definitely learns from watching Cars, Toy Story (1,2 and 3), Finding Nemo and others and it's obviously helping his listening skills as well. <br />
<br />
His English progress may start to slow over the next two months though. He will be attending Japanese day care leading up to the time my wife has our second child and for about a month afterwards. That coupled with my longer working/commuting hours with my new job means he'll be exposed to almost no English on a daily basis until June. <br />
<br />
I'm sure he'll be fine, but I have to admit that I'm somewhat stressed about his upcoming "lack of English." <br />
<br />
I'll let you know how things go in upcoming posts.<br />
Kevin Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16173830755983155580noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824417013751474461.post-38443505243958920512013-04-01T19:20:00.001+09:002013-04-01T19:20:44.397+09:00Minoh Waterfall and Katsuoji TempleLast Friday I met up with my friend John to do some hiking north of Osaka. He was visiting from the U.S. and wanted to show me the Minoh Waterfall and the very beautiful Katsuoji Temple. <br />
<br />
We hiked most of the day through the forest and days later, my legs are still screaming in pain!<br />
<br />
Hope you like some of the pictures I took that day. Katsuoji Temple is well know for its Daruma. These small figures are meant to give people good luck and help their wishes come true. <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6Hd1tTjPB7JfvNoNRodcGE49uXaoHp-okKt3-YhhC_12KSCgCv1NZLSRXeK9F1CL2_iaibx9YasWXYeFGMJNXrIQRM1qfXzod3c8E7CN8822PxdSFzb3Q_NMwGj1c4yoy7D4L7wm2do4/s640/blogger-image--675516072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6Hd1tTjPB7JfvNoNRodcGE49uXaoHp-okKt3-YhhC_12KSCgCv1NZLSRXeK9F1CL2_iaibx9YasWXYeFGMJNXrIQRM1qfXzod3c8E7CN8822PxdSFzb3Q_NMwGj1c4yoy7D4L7wm2do4/s640/blogger-image--675516072.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbq-QopQ_8Bo_lsEzxJKo3R-Ij_7XcS1U4EfdyBKBzD4Bcxb5N-QoRG7dIhaItTCb9JMu9_4avuvwNXqKQA_4skHs-1EBRcEUJGdC18ikXMFhH7Rb_nTfbOypoLayDbipptLZppA_NsCG/s640/blogger-image-314512979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbq-QopQ_8Bo_lsEzxJKo3R-Ij_7XcS1U4EfdyBKBzD4Bcxb5N-QoRG7dIhaItTCb9JMu9_4avuvwNXqKQA_4skHs-1EBRcEUJGdC18ikXMFhH7Rb_nTfbOypoLayDbipptLZppA_NsCG/s640/blogger-image-314512979.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3NhjLF7mzqmPbB_uFyrLSYXoofV4gzkydEyVQ-8ngn7h7mon_E2csPcq2cwvf2WuVZ-kYIwfNdyJXV2kulxxuWenfRnKudx4Q7S6SYeJwOu9xh44sqHVf2aDzhyphenhyphensaRw5176nHCOhpAHZ/s640/blogger-image-1156967056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3NhjLF7mzqmPbB_uFyrLSYXoofV4gzkydEyVQ-8ngn7h7mon_E2csPcq2cwvf2WuVZ-kYIwfNdyJXV2kulxxuWenfRnKudx4Q7S6SYeJwOu9xh44sqHVf2aDzhyphenhyphensaRw5176nHCOhpAHZ/s640/blogger-image-1156967056.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKmHvzVAdZRvx17pAFrSOdWF92XJ7YcpKVOPFzxkypCKEBHNHCIjqpSje9Asje1nqbHD6XvbYYcWXTL0i-ztd5NN1uuHYL_hfRWebY-YbB64a0AQFju6hq0zBO4zNRKWjyG_f3o0uD4Ex/s640/blogger-image--1042499610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKmHvzVAdZRvx17pAFrSOdWF92XJ7YcpKVOPFzxkypCKEBHNHCIjqpSje9Asje1nqbHD6XvbYYcWXTL0i-ztd5NN1uuHYL_hfRWebY-YbB64a0AQFju6hq0zBO4zNRKWjyG_f3o0uD4Ex/s640/blogger-image--1042499610.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylKDu3rZ8cY6aqE98P_ncyZJddVCVvTVxTU_N3bhbrhGjg6tZZaiQysIl3SbK9tAuywNb2VSTZ0pecNy8fsP3wsERiJzd4vTXz31XaCXrHjjzN0rE05gnpvo5vwkY3FhtDs31Oq1YC_Vf/s640/blogger-image--1860303050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylKDu3rZ8cY6aqE98P_ncyZJddVCVvTVxTU_N3bhbrhGjg6tZZaiQysIl3SbK9tAuywNb2VSTZ0pecNy8fsP3wsERiJzd4vTXz31XaCXrHjjzN0rE05gnpvo5vwkY3FhtDs31Oq1YC_Vf/s640/blogger-image--1860303050.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyV3FgncROEltpwfYP7var7oqKRseaTrk1XVSeE9hJOpBD7NSkbT3bnegUUXyKGViZbs_IZBEp6zAtOYcb_IstRyXJlVRaofq51OHbnVHUvbxUJtaRBCM8bTFxiEf3ZgENKQJd0lyx2ZPh/s640/blogger-image--2042248078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyV3FgncROEltpwfYP7var7oqKRseaTrk1XVSeE9hJOpBD7NSkbT3bnegUUXyKGViZbs_IZBEp6zAtOYcb_IstRyXJlVRaofq51OHbnVHUvbxUJtaRBCM8bTFxiEf3ZgENKQJd0lyx2ZPh/s640/blogger-image--2042248078.jpg" /></a></div>Kevin Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16173830755983155580noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824417013751474461.post-17134423913571083622013-04-01T18:44:00.001+09:002013-04-01T18:44:46.799+09:00I'm back and mobile....in OsakaLong time, no see! <br />
<br />
I'm alive and doing well and still in Japan of course. I've long been neglecting this blog for far too long. Things have changed as of today and maybe I'll be able to share with you more often.<br />
<br />
As of today, I now work in Osaka, Japan. I still live in Kobe with my family, but now have a much longer and more uncomfortable commute everyday. I've just downloaded the Blogger app and will try to write posts while I travel everyday.<br />
<br />
I'll continue to focus on my son's bilingual upbringing and share things we're doing in my house to make sure his English language skills grow while submersed in a Japanese world!<br />
<br />
<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVoZa8KMOqZcOe7hFIFAaQx2oAesM_KQ8jj96f6lGmekK_ZttOsDxXD8qepbsku9-lt1N5zOQXrQitisAOSc-72t6cnvZSQDm3GBNc4OFsUnnAA8Ix9soODqBIFw83po21Tq-cUEQUqK4/s640/blogger-image-2099071278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVoZa8KMOqZcOe7hFIFAaQx2oAesM_KQ8jj96f6lGmekK_ZttOsDxXD8qepbsku9-lt1N5zOQXrQitisAOSc-72t6cnvZSQDm3GBNc4OFsUnnAA8Ix9soODqBIFw83po21Tq-cUEQUqK4/s640/blogger-image-2099071278.jpg" /></a></div>Kevin Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16173830755983155580noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824417013751474461.post-59739750845253900832013-01-14T15:05:00.001+09:002013-01-14T15:05:28.261+09:00Constantly Talking: a teaching tool
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
One piece of advice I give to new teachers, especially ones
teaching second language learners is to constantly speak to them and ask them
questions. This of course gives them more opportunities to hear English as well
think in the language and speak it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Practice, practice, practice! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The more you practice anything,
the better you will become. Learning a language is no different.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This of course carries over to parenting and raising a child
to speak more than one language. I suppose it will even help a child who is learning
only one language.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When my son was an infant, I read in a book about raising
children that I should have a constant running dialogue when I am with them. Even
when he was too young to speak or communicate in any way, aside from crying, I
should speak. At bath time, the running dialogue might sound something like, “Now
I’m going to wash your arms. I’m cleaning your arms with soap. Isn’t the water
nice and warm? Now I’m rinsing the soap off your arms. Does that feel nice?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It completely makes sense why this would be good for your
child. While they are with you they hear your voice and are surrounded by the language
they will someday speak. It’s another form of mental stimulation. Sounds straightforward
and easy, but I often find this type of running dialogue difficult to maintain.
I suppose it is a little mentally taxing for me and sometimes I simply forgot
to do it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When my son was younger and even now I find myself zoning out
when I am doing something that required concentration such as giving him a bath.
When I would zone out, I would stop speaking.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I went for a walk with my son and spoke to him the entire
time. I asked him questions about the vehicles we saw as well as the plants and
flowers we walked past. “Is that a white or a blue car? Look at the ambulance.
Is it loud? Did you see all of the pink flowers on the tree? Do you want to go
to the supermarket? What kind of juice do you want?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I realize that English is my son’s second language and I need
to pick up my game and start exposing him to more of it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have to admit that while I need to pick up my game as a teacher
at home, my wife has been doing a fantastic job all along. She has that constant
dialogue with my son and speaks to him in both Japanese and English.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another thing we have been doing all along, but more now that
our son is speaking a lot is discussing his “linguistic future.” We spend a great
deal of time talking about how we can work together to make sure his English skills
are strong. We have been discussing what type of schools he should attend. We
have also been discussing how we will teach him to read and write English if he
attends a Japanese school. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Luckily I’m not stressed about that since I have been teaching
of many years and have spent the last 5 years teaching young children phonics
and writing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Interesting times!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
More updates and ideas to come.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You can follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/jlandkev" target="_blank">Twitter: @jlandkev</a></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Kevin Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16173830755983155580noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824417013751474461.post-89884256281794758802013-01-13T06:51:00.002+09:002013-01-13T06:51:52.133+09:00Flash cards with a 2 year old
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today my son turns two and a half years old. He’s growing like
a weed as they say back home and his language continues to grow at a frightening
(for me anyway) pace. He simply loves speaking in both English and Japanese. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last Monday, I began work after a three-week holiday. During
my holiday, I spent most of my time with my family. That of course meant that
our house was pretty much an “English Zone.” Living in an English environment
for almost a month was a great boost for my son’s language, but as with every
vacation, it had to come to an end. Last Monday I started work again and it began
with a six-day work-week for me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday when I got home from work I took my son to the supermarket
to buy some pancake mix. He babbled in English the entire way, curiously pointing
t everything he saw and sharing a running dialogue about those things. “Look Daddy,
blue car. Big red car. Pigeons are walking. Building is yellow. Look, leaves are
green. Tree is tall.” I loved every minute of it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After dinner last night, while he was playing with Lego I spent
sometime showing him various flashcards. Most of them were animal flashcards,
but some were also shapes. He is quickly learning them, but I plan to add flashcards
to our daily routine more often. Again, I almost have to think about English as
if I were a teacher (which I am). He doesn’t get exposed to much English on a day-to-day
basis so I need to work hard to help him learn. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last year I bought a few sets at the local English bookstore,
but have realized that at my son’s pace of learning it would cost me a small fortune
to continue buying them so I have begun to make flashcards for him. I have relied
on some of the great free sites I use for teaching such as MES English and Sparklebox.
I simply print the cards at home and I even bought a laminator so I can make them
last for years. I think it was a worthy investment.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExXTAaupkLWVbq1sVWaE3FSd2-6s2y8UJBA-J2vXWCIJ7JdzSog7wQUbeEsQbM-IUKw8ydhLR8Haq8AfsxofbnC6ezVmoTMfSl6Snnzjg-FNvmt6fuMNRCcwAr-v_0wJBGdmkkzHwhyeu/s1600/IMG_9283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExXTAaupkLWVbq1sVWaE3FSd2-6s2y8UJBA-J2vXWCIJ7JdzSog7wQUbeEsQbM-IUKw8ydhLR8Haq8AfsxofbnC6ezVmoTMfSl6Snnzjg-FNvmt6fuMNRCcwAr-v_0wJBGdmkkzHwhyeu/s320/IMG_9283.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>Some flash cards I bought at Junkudo Bookstore. He already knows about 85% of these so I have begun making them myself at home.</i></div>
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You can check out a video below of me showing some color flashcards
to my son the other morning while he was playing. To be honest, he really enjoys
playing with the flashcards. He sees them as a toy. I suppose that’s a good thing!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="253" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DV8LzT1CpdQ" width="450"></iframe></div>
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You can follow me on Twitter: @jlandkev</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Kevin Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16173830755983155580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824417013751474461.post-57440660675655524712013-01-05T15:57:00.000+09:002013-01-05T15:57:35.254+09:00An Explosion of Language
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My son is now almost two and a half years old and recently
has been speaking quite a bit. He says things at night like, “Daddy, go to
bed?” “Daddy, boat coming!” “Kai, neh neh (baby talk for sleep in Japanese).”
He also speaks a lot more in Japanese, his first language. His language has
been progressing at a very surprising and exciting pace.</div>
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I started a three-week vacation about three weeks ago (sadly
only one day left before I head back to school). I have been spending a great
deal of time with my son during that period. Both my wife and I have noticed a
sudden explosion of language in the last month and luckily I have been present
to enjoy so much of it. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The amazing thing that has happened is he can now express
his needs and wants in English and Japanese. He was able to tell us what he
wanted Santa Claus to bring him for Christmas (Santa got him the TOMICA City
parking garage set he so desired). </div>
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He can also use both his English and Japanese to play with
Mom and Dad. The other day he walked up to me, placed some toy food on the
table and said, “Daddy, eat this.” His favorite phrase in the past few days has
been “Come here Daddy” which he has said at least thirty five thousand times!</div>
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I think my mind was really blown the other day when my son
said, “Daddy, two boys going over there.” I looked up and sure enough, there
were two young boys running across the street in front of us!</div>
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<br /></div>
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I realize that often children in Canada, where I am from, at
my son’s age may be able to communicate more, but my son has to process twice
the information. He doesn’t just have to learn the word “cat” for example. He
must learn that Daddy says “cat” and Mommy says, “neko” (my wife is Japanese). </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxC3NBYDloPtaaohJDvR0Z-gNeLneL1vgrUaLUmOcIpjUeZZ2wS4b_zNqLa_986CCUSSjUgQjsYFa0oHfs1_x4EHrKjLNbZAAtGqUIy5nS2QWoPigtEwJVVW2Jq3myZPg_sgz-vrW7HNp/s1600/la_verb_tenses.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxC3NBYDloPtaaohJDvR0Z-gNeLneL1vgrUaLUmOcIpjUeZZ2wS4b_zNqLa_986CCUSSjUgQjsYFa0oHfs1_x4EHrKjLNbZAAtGqUIy5nS2QWoPigtEwJVVW2Jq3myZPg_sgz-vrW7HNp/s320/la_verb_tenses.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Language switching:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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This is another impressive thing (in my eyes as a father)
that amazes me. When I am alone with my son, he pretty much only speaks
English. When he is with his mother, he pretty much only speaks Japanese, the
language he can communicate more in. When we are together as a family, he mixes
it all together and at this point, really only his mother knows exactly what he
is saying.</div>
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I suppose that in the little world that is “my family”, we
are going through some fun and exciting times. </div>
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As someone who was raised in a unilingual household, it is
amazing to see someone raised bilingual. It’s like looking into a new world!</div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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You can follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/jlandkev" target="_blank">Twitter: @jlandkev</a></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Kevin Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16173830755983155580noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824417013751474461.post-43032467231517090642013-01-03T21:56:00.000+09:002013-01-03T21:56:15.278+09:0010 Worst Things About Japan
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Yesterday I brought you a post about the 10 best things
about living in Japan in 2012…for me.</div>
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Today I bring you the 10 worst things about life for me in
Japan in 2012. </div>
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As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, this is a tongue-in-cheek (that means humorous) post so if you get upset about it, you have full permission to close this browser window
and never read my blog again! Again…full permission…please…don’t come back!</div>
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Ok, now on with the list. 10 Things that didn’t make me very
happy about living in Japan in 2012:</div>
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1.<b> Earthquakes:</b> Does anyone really like these things? (That’s a
rhetorical question)</div>
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2. <b>Really crowded trains:</b> I have to commute to work and there’s
nothing more disgusting than having to wedge into a train that smells of body
odor and in the mornings, old booze (no matter what day of the week).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOh0rBOHBKet1uUBfgsTZuxNEvoQUQGcGOBhHuA07t6H1nbJ3C9ZhL20Lu-e5wMyFXpdqgt8y1aHz5FYKJloo2yI4F7SEqtUltj5sNwbxP-5-wWuf_eVRhbMVS4bfI5LA8pnTRm4Mv9Hr/s1600/20080414_0390_crowded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOh0rBOHBKet1uUBfgsTZuxNEvoQUQGcGOBhHuA07t6H1nbJ3C9ZhL20Lu-e5wMyFXpdqgt8y1aHz5FYKJloo2yI4F7SEqtUltj5sNwbxP-5-wWuf_eVRhbMVS4bfI5LA8pnTRm4Mv9Hr/s320/20080414_0390_crowded.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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3. <b>Expensive beer:</b> It costs a lot of money to buy the stuff at
bars, restaurants and eateries.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsFBB0MG9G4dKXX9HSiuTtr-dfJB2OKs2xfCrq5j4NZRCxT0a7n0nkNgKBcYnwCz8pVq-XlJxgNqXwQNQD2dNXXHdB3gTboJLXbdEaCFhwe3bNjv12nOTZNziSqRuNSoJSnKvXBXgOPpp/s1600/02-Yebisu-Japanese-Beer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsFBB0MG9G4dKXX9HSiuTtr-dfJB2OKs2xfCrq5j4NZRCxT0a7n0nkNgKBcYnwCz8pVq-XlJxgNqXwQNQD2dNXXHdB3gTboJLXbdEaCFhwe3bNjv12nOTZNziSqRuNSoJSnKvXBXgOPpp/s320/02-Yebisu-Japanese-Beer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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4. <b>People who live in tiny apartments yet have large dogs: </b>It’s
pretty common around where I live and it’s just mean. A Golden Retriever or
Siberian Husky is meant to run in wide-open spaces, not live in a one or two
room apartment in a big city. It’s just mean!</div>
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5. <b>Subway Restaurants: </b>Nice to have a little taste of home, but
have you had one? They TOTALLY skimp on the meat. MORE MEAT PLEASE!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyUIdQoYCBRB2Q214-gzSyN5A4wFiLP-Y7g5wrQ3sZzKgpxpoGba5xWDY1ycze-lX9BnFl8SExCtNHForH5wzZ4U7oaumQDjTu4lzbixovDJTbNx6XSN2DV1vTu82zR7Tt5hl9NbUGGjM/s1600/subway_japan_french_promo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyUIdQoYCBRB2Q214-gzSyN5A4wFiLP-Y7g5wrQ3sZzKgpxpoGba5xWDY1ycze-lX9BnFl8SExCtNHForH5wzZ4U7oaumQDjTu4lzbixovDJTbNx6XSN2DV1vTu82zR7Tt5hl9NbUGGjM/s320/subway_japan_french_promo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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6. <b>Only one-way to skin a cat:</b> In English, the saying, “There’s
more than one way to skin a cat” of course means that there is always more than
one-way to solve a problem. From my experience, for many in Japan there is only
one way to skin a cat and if that doesn’t work…uh oh! No one seems to know what
to do. Oh yes…they get stressed and panic! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC401Yn-Kc1d8uC-2h6oHy2XGZeMGPq-Q-HbOJMv0zcwfy41DfLTkg_ZnF7c94Y2wcsX2DjiV2I-2wjR_IXQmAs0I86TKiHdX7y6XBPt5Yx_eXHJBA41snNtgh0QX8t25tpWAkNmVAaiPD/s1600/surprised-cat1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC401Yn-Kc1d8uC-2h6oHy2XGZeMGPq-Q-HbOJMv0zcwfy41DfLTkg_ZnF7c94Y2wcsX2DjiV2I-2wjR_IXQmAs0I86TKiHdX7y6XBPt5Yx_eXHJBA41snNtgh0QX8t25tpWAkNmVAaiPD/s320/surprised-cat1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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7. <b>Train pervs:</b> So many of them in Japan and they all deserve
to have their groping hands removed with a rusty butter knife!</div>
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8. <b>Intentional pigeon-toed walking: </b>A very common thing in Japan.
Many high school aged girls and young women walk very pigeon toed (that’s when
you walk with your toes pointing inwards). It looks strange, awkward and uncoordinated.
Apparently, most do it on purpose because they think it looks cute. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnlZ1HjwXrtN3gHp1QRAOz340qkvs90VPWB_U2zJlfB7mKHSLOOWKOwt1t5B_8pWMcIL5pgSAJ_PjHbawbUisFv4EE5dyw6ct_K-RVS5xwB-VjGWjzCtOCUgChfEkor36u7hzcWvLooSW/s1600/JapaneseGirls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnlZ1HjwXrtN3gHp1QRAOz340qkvs90VPWB_U2zJlfB7mKHSLOOWKOwt1t5B_8pWMcIL5pgSAJ_PjHbawbUisFv4EE5dyw6ct_K-RVS5xwB-VjGWjzCtOCUgChfEkor36u7hzcWvLooSW/s320/JapaneseGirls.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
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9. <b>YouTube Japan: </b>I’ve been a YouTube partner since the early days.
Once upon a day they supported all partners. Now they tell foreign partners straight
up that they are no longer important…we don’t care about you and will not really
help you!</div>
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10. <b>I wasn’t “Lost in Translation”:</b> Suppose I’ve been living in
Asia too long for that. I do at times need a translator though! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaiDzdM8YmQvbch2zXunQmJ_2T5OSIDAIaMDWkzsATKdeHe1IeHDVjyOciwe38M13_uFa6hDiXZb7mMeHJrcHDUU_a5Vb_QF6vLWi03deqBINnDI-WUxAsnLJb4PQp62fgpJpNvq7OxSM/s1600/1339010681-lost-in-translation-03-1000x664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaiDzdM8YmQvbch2zXunQmJ_2T5OSIDAIaMDWkzsATKdeHe1IeHDVjyOciwe38M13_uFa6hDiXZb7mMeHJrcHDUU_a5Vb_QF6vLWi03deqBINnDI-WUxAsnLJb4PQp62fgpJpNvq7OxSM/s320/1339010681-lost-in-translation-03-1000x664.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You can follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/jlandkev" target="_blank">Twitter @jlandkev.</a></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Kevin Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16173830755983155580noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824417013751474461.post-83761849613140457352013-01-02T22:38:00.000+09:002013-01-02T22:39:08.736+09:0010 Best Things About Japan<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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As I look back at the year that was 2012, I want to reflect
on the best and worst things about Japan, the country I have called home for
the past 5 years. Today’s post will be the “10 Best” list while tomorrow’s will
be the “10 Worst” list.</div>
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Message to all “hardcore” Japan fans out there…take these
posts with a grain of salt!</div>
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1. Japanese food: It’s great. It’s really delicious!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTM6ZvA1L6h4d-mqWq33hhEJ8BfU4q083cyG0ymgw59XcXy8QYPd_czeyhDUd_JM0F8R-jm2vojyseN4xg7_7KzkoWD5kPSbatxbrbkAHtKxULJpf-TCqBhDDiqcFpb1fVwycWxJZyvWcN/s1600/Sushi-1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTM6ZvA1L6h4d-mqWq33hhEJ8BfU4q083cyG0ymgw59XcXy8QYPd_czeyhDUd_JM0F8R-jm2vojyseN4xg7_7KzkoWD5kPSbatxbrbkAHtKxULJpf-TCqBhDDiqcFpb1fVwycWxJZyvWcN/s320/Sushi-1-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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2. Strong Yen (currency): At least in 2012 it was. That was
good for me since I was paid in Yen!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDEGPg7vEHwG42wZmepnCIRI-Z3ebhcTZGvHi6ZPi6GfUP6SwHQasRe6VCKCnAwffEw0fzAe0R1L_jGC2bvyU6EIoVl-PDyJJJp6DaUxGH3uDT_cdfo7udnkNEqrEBJ2tw_lcSqfBI1yZv/s1600/yen_DW_Wirtschaft_S_337215g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDEGPg7vEHwG42wZmepnCIRI-Z3ebhcTZGvHi6ZPi6GfUP6SwHQasRe6VCKCnAwffEw0fzAe0R1L_jGC2bvyU6EIoVl-PDyJJJp6DaUxGH3uDT_cdfo7udnkNEqrEBJ2tw_lcSqfBI1yZv/s320/yen_DW_Wirtschaft_S_337215g.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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3. Safe place to live: I know that every second joker isn’t
carrying a gun! </div>
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4. SOOOO many weirdos: There really is a freaky amount of
freaky people all over the place in Japanese cities. As a blogger and vlogger,
that’s great for me! Free entertainment.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWfhK-Eu1C1fzAri70KS5J-OwXBFidAI6YnRgR6UaRqFLAiO1qkoLADErqGGYk4M-cvbaFhP67Q055FqXcNBtDMHlS4BsVNIsuJVNRqdBDW6rC7MGcWr_n-6rTM41jdrUiOmvFoaznj0N/s1600/japan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWfhK-Eu1C1fzAri70KS5J-OwXBFidAI6YnRgR6UaRqFLAiO1qkoLADErqGGYk4M-cvbaFhP67Q055FqXcNBtDMHlS4BsVNIsuJVNRqdBDW6rC7MGcWr_n-6rTM41jdrUiOmvFoaznj0N/s320/japan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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5. Beautiful women everywhere: I may be happily married, but
I’m not dead!</div>
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6. Those beautiful women are “Pro Short Skirt”: Nuff said…</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qA0ozz9CSLS_qT6iW0myheULZcfdsduhrj5_aiKMy6BTxPRT4SmZzv8QDvk10mUdiIFCo30ff0SAKSzK-qXsr3DurUFou0w8pCA5nx-wG0Ea0lW5JYeBBfSqmNPjmbIZmG5E2Q0HhtUN/s1600/queen6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qA0ozz9CSLS_qT6iW0myheULZcfdsduhrj5_aiKMy6BTxPRT4SmZzv8QDvk10mUdiIFCo30ff0SAKSzK-qXsr3DurUFou0w8pCA5nx-wG0Ea0lW5JYeBBfSqmNPjmbIZmG5E2Q0HhtUN/s320/queen6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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7. Smart phones still have unlimited data plans: Nuff said…</div>
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8. Treated well as a foreigner: As a Canadian living in Japan,
I am treated quite well by most (sadly there are foreigners from many other
countries who aren’t treated so well).</div>
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9. Fantastic history: Japan has a really fascinating history. I
mean come on, these guys are the guys who brought us ninjas!!! That’s WAY cool!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcAdu3Gx0hXtiP9SoB5x304XmrxlALh36YhPhy9GAgqSh-oAVnIs_LG5MBWujPU5q2ZwWyOSblW2zE1JVksANW8dXkawfJ7sm2M4TFSXPn8YFlN5A_F6L4da3qcKLaONaLEQxJJmE0wEK/s1600/Pint-size-ninjas--007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcAdu3Gx0hXtiP9SoB5x304XmrxlALh36YhPhy9GAgqSh-oAVnIs_LG5MBWujPU5q2ZwWyOSblW2zE1JVksANW8dXkawfJ7sm2M4TFSXPn8YFlN5A_F6L4da3qcKLaONaLEQxJJmE0wEK/s320/Pint-size-ninjas--007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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10. Raising a family: As a parent in Japan, you have subsidized
health care and good financial incentives and support from the government…for
now.</div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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Stay tuned tomorrow for my “10 Worst Things About Japan” list!</div>
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You can follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/jlandkev" target="_blank">Twitter: @jlandkev</a></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Kevin Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16173830755983155580noreply@blogger.com1